Denoisel looked round to see that no one was listening, and then lowering his voice began:
"Once upon a time a papa and a mamma had a little daughter. The papa and mamma wished her to marry, and they sent for some very nice-looking gentlemen; but the little daughter, who was very nice-looking, too——"
"Oh, how stupid you are!—I'll get my work, there—" and taking her work out of a basket on the table she went and sat down by her mother.
"Are we not going to have any whist to-night?" asked M. Mauperin.
"Yes, of course, my dear," answered Mme. Mauperin. "The table is ready—you see there are only the candles to light."
"Going, going, gone!" called out Denoisel in M. Barousse's ear.
The old gentleman was just beginning to doze in a corner by the chimney-piece and his head was nodding like a passenger's in a stage-coach. M. Barousse started up and Denoisel handed him a card:
"The King of Spades! before the letter! You are wanted at whist."
"You are not over-tired this evening, mademoiselle?" asked Reverchon, approaching Renée.
"I? I could dance all night. That's how I feel."